Ilene (Smeltzer) Deck Obituary (1935 - 2021)

Ilene Deck, 85, of Albion, passed peacefully Monday, April 19, 2021, at her home near Wolf Lake. Born in Wakarusa, IN, on October 18, 1935, to the late Roscoe H. and Florence M. (Holmes) Smeltzer. She spent her formative years around the Wolf Lake area. Ilene married Ralph E. Deck Sr., on January 5, 1957, the couple was married for 58 years. He preceded her in death on January 2, 2015. She was a homemaker and had many hobbies. Ilene played bingo, enjoyed scratch-off tickets, went to the casino, and quilted. She was an avid CUBS fan. Ilene enjoyed family cookouts so she could be with her family and driving around the countryside with her sidekick, Tina. Ilene is survived by her four daughters, Tina Deck, Shari (Rocky) Taylor, Linda (Randy) Kuhn, and Wanda Hines; one son, Ralph Deck Jr.; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Lowell (Judy) Smeltzer; two sisters-in-law, Nellie Smeltzer and Mary Grace Deck. She was preceded in death by two sons, Bruce and Gene Deck; two grandsons, Curt Hasting Jr. and Bruce Deck Jr.; two brothers, Donald and Charles Smeltzer; two sisters, Patsy Agler and Barbara Hyatt; step-sister, Lillian Boswell. Services will take place at Sheets and Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco Chapel, on Friday, April 23, 2021, at 11 a.m., with calling one hour prior to the service. The family will also receive friends on Thursday, April 22, 2021, from 6-8 p.m. Burial will take place at Wolf Lake Cemetery. Memorials to Noble County Cancer Society and Noble County Transit. Online Guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.sheetsandchilds.com.